If you have an abscess in your teeth or gums, one of the symptoms you will have is pain. Other symptoms include swelling and bleeding of the gums. It is possible to ignore these symptoms and how they disappear. Sometimes the symptoms do subside, but that does not mean they have gone away. An abscess is a potentially dangerous problem and is best treated as a dental emergency.
What is a Dental Emergency?
People understand that if they break their leg or if they suffer a deep cut, they have a medical emergency and need to head to the nearest emergency room. They know that the sooner they treat a medical emergency, the easier it is to fix it.
They are not always aware of what a dental emergency is and what they need to do about it. If a person has an accident that knocks out teeth or hurts their jaw, they may realize the need to see our dentists right away. If they suffer from an abscess, they may not that it too is a dental emergency and they need to contact our offices right away.
Why Call It an Emergency?
If the symptoms of an abscess can subside, why should anyone call it an emergency. A dental abscess is the result of an infection in the mouth. The abscess causes a pocket of pus to develop. Abscesses are the result of untreated cavities and injuries to the mouth. If the pocket of puss bursts, the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth and the body. In the most severe cases, the infection can lead to sepsis, which is a serious medical emergency.
Treating an abscess as soon as possible is the best way to prevent more problems from occurring. Our offices will get an appointment at the soonest possible date to treat an abscess. We do not want more issues to occur and it is easier to treat an abscess before it affects other teeth and gums.
The best way to prevent abscesses is through good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to our offices. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
